"When I'm called to duty God

wherever flames may rage

give me strength to save a life

whatever be its age

Help me to embrace a little child

before it is too late

or save an older person from

the horror of that fate

Enable me to be alert

to hear the weakest shout

and quickly and efficiently

to put the fire out

I want to fill my calling and

to give the best in me

to guard my neighbor and

protect his property

And if according to your will

I have to lose my life

bless with your protecting hand my children and my wife"

According to John Godfrey’s poem, The Firefighter’s Prayer, being a firefighter is more than driving a firetruck with lights and sirens blaring, rushing to a fire. It’s about being a brother to your fellow firefighters and being the best you can be, always looking forward to learning something new. Being a firefighter means you are an example to your community, on call, to help those in times of need. To me, being a firefighter is the best job in the world.

When I was young, I always enjoyed helping people. I remember always helping my next door neighbor, who was an elderly man confined to his wheelchair. I’d rake leaves in his backyard. No matter how many leaves were on the ground, even if it took me all day, I did my absolute best to rake every leaf off the ground leaving his backyard spotless. There was no better reward than when he thanked me and gave me a plate full of cookies. Even though he gave me a gift at the end, what mattered to me most was knowing that I had given my best effort and had put a smile on the face of a friend. Doing something to the best of my ability has always been one of my most passionate virtues.

In my early teenage years, my father became overwhelmed with depression. Alcohol took over his life. I remember wishing he would stop drinking. It bothered me that there was nothing I could do to stop it. Realizing that I could not stop his actions bothered me deeply. Nothing could change what he was doing to himself. When I was in eighth grade my father died from alcoholism. There is an inner drive in me that compels me to want to give back and help people in my community. Being able to change the outcome of somebody's life so that they can live another day is what matters to me the most and inspires me to become a firefighter.

Everyday as a firefighter, I want to learn something new. There is a saying in the fire service that sets apart those who are willing to improve and those who do not know enough: “Do you know what you don't know?” is a saying that stands out to me whenever I am learning more about the responsibilities and virtues of being a firefighter. If I were to ask myself, “Do I know what I don't know?” I would say that I do not. I do not know what the next call might be or what challenge I will be faced with next. A firefighter has to be open to as much knowledge he can acquire and never stop wanting to improve. They say a firefighter has to be an expert in all of the things he does. The poem reveals the ideals of a fireman, “I want to fill my calling and to give the best in me” (Godfrey). Not everyone can run into a burning building and save the lives of those in danger. Being a firefighter takes a special type of person, whose thought process involves putting others before himself. A firefighter gives up time with his family to serve his community as a role model who makes a significant impact. To do your best, no matter what the task, sets a firefighter apart from others. When somebody is in distress and calls 911, no matter what time of day, within six minutes or less, a big red truck with three highly-trained professionals will show up and help the person in need.

They say the worst call you can go on is a call involving a child. One day, I want to be a father who will always be there for my children. As difficult as it might be to see a child in distress, I will know in my heart that I will always do my best on every call. Godfrey’s poem illustrates the significance of children, “Help me to embrace a little child before it is too late” (Godfrey). As a firefighter, I will have the opportunity to protect my children, as well as the children of other parents. I will strive every day to be a protector as a father, firefighter, and friend. No child should ever have to go through pain and suffering. As firefighters it is our duty as fathers, and guardians to protect children so that one day they might have wonderful opportunities in life. I first hand have experienced the devastation of losing a parent, and could never imagine the heartbreak of losing a child. I know what it is like to lose a parent, especially as a young man to his father. Like my father, a firefighter is a mentor to others. Firefighters are trusted to serve in their communities and be the shining examples of those who honor their friends and family. Professionalism is what people see from firefighters at a fire or in the grocery store shopping. Integrity is what sets the firefighter apart from the rest. We are trusted to go into someone's home and administer medicine and leave without anything more than we went in with. The way a firefighter presents himself is what the public sees and what they can count on.

Firefighters stay together as brothers, always helping each other improve and learn from our mistakes. When we fall down, we are picked back up by our fellow firefighters and learn the true value of brotherhood. Firefighters extinguish fires to prevent burns from flames. It can be said that life can burn you at times, but it is our duty as humans to learn from our mistakes. Firefighters can prevent flames from burning houses, people, or animals. It is called fire-prevention because firefighters risk their lives to prevent devastating outcomes. This poem lit a spark in me when I read it because I was honored to explore the types of situations I will later be in, and all the people I will help.

This poem also drives home the point that to be a firefighter, you have to work with an open mind and heart. Words in the poem depict the importance of equality, “Give me strength to save a life, whatever be its age” (Godfrey). As a firefighter, I will be working with people of different ages, colors, beliefs, and religions. Despite these differences, they are all people. I will work toward the common goal of saving lives, no matter what race, age, or ethnicity a patient is. Firefighters are nonjudgemental, and will always put others before themselves. In a society where there is racism, sexism, and stereotypes that continue to this day, firefighters see their patients as human beings. I look up to firefighters because it is their duty to help whomever calls in desperation.

Doing your best is never good enough. There is always room for improvement to do better and improve your skills. I want to be there for somebody on their worst day and give them the strength to get back up and walk another day. I wish I could have had the same impact on my father, to turn himself around, even during his worst times. That is my goal as a firefighter, to make a difference in somebody’s life. Whether it be helping an elderly person at the store reach the top shelf, or something much more critical such as bringing a child back to life. I want to make a difference. This career isn’t just about the fire anymore; it’s about your impact on somebody else so that they can strive to be a mentor, a guardian, or even, a Firefighter!